Public defender job description

Are you looking for a challenging role within an organization that provides rewarding compensation, an excellent benefit package and career growth opportunities? If so, Lake County Government is the place for you. Comprised of nearly 3,000 employees, it is our goal to positively serve the residents of Lake County while working with a purpose. We believe our employees should take pride in the work they accomplish while truly respecting a collaborative work environment.

The Lake County Public Defender's Office represents indigent criminal defendants charged with crimes punishable by incarceration. The goal is to assure an excellent quality of legal representation that is not dependent on the wealth and status of the accused. Under the direction of the Public Defender, an Assistant Public Defender represents clients in court for arraignments, motions, trials, sentencing and all other related proceedings.

•Provide legal representation, consultation, and advice to indigent clients charged with felony criminal offenses.

•Conduct pretrial investigations, perform legal research and analyze and apply legal principles, interview clients and witnesses and conduct plea negotiations. Prepare defenses, including pretrial motion practice, litigate motions and trials.
•Work closely with clients, provide and discuss information, strategies, and developments.
•Write motions, pleadings, and present legal arguments. •Prepare legal documentation and represent clients throughout the legal process.
•Litigate pretrial discovery and pretrial motions.
•Negotiate plea bargains.
•Conduct jury and bench trials.
•Thorough knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
•Strong research, analysis, decision-making and negotiation skills.
•Ability to litigate criminal trials with aggressive motions practice and persuasive oral advocacy.
•Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
•Knowledge of criminal law, the judicial system, court practices, and procedures.
•Able to work under pressure with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
•Strong computer literacy.
•Prior experience handling felony charges, conducting trials involving expert witnesses, developing and presenting mitigation, and conducting sentencing hearings is essential.
•Ability to meet clients in detention/jail/office
•Ability to spend entire day in court

Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefit package. We also offer flexible working hours, and a comprehensive wellness and training program. Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County!

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

Lake County is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Compensation: $72,502.44 - $81,799.05 - $100,817.37 annually DOE

Application Period Ends: 10/12/2022 3:30 p.m. MST

Application Must Include: Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample

General Statement of Duties

Under direction, to perform the full range of professional legal work in civil and criminal defense; to defend cases before any court within the state; and to do other work as required.

Classification Summary

This is a multi-level class series in which incumbents may be assigned to any of 5 levels, depending on organizational needs, professional legal experience, individual expertise and skill, proficiency, and complexity of assigned caseload. Positions in these classes are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level. Progression from one level to the next is at the discretion of the appointing authority, provided minimum qualifications are met.

Positions within the Class:

Rule 226 Provisional Deputy is the pre-entry level in the Deputy Public Defender (DPD) series, assigned to law students and recent law school graduates studying for the Bar Exam. Provisional Deputies are legal interns admitted under Idaho Bar Commission Rule 226 to the limited practice of law.

Deputy Public Defender I is the entry level in the (DPD) series, assigned to employees with limited previous legal experience who are fully licensed to practice law in the State of Idaho. This class is typically used as a training class and employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Deputy Public Defender II is the first working level assigned to employees with at least the equivalent of one years' experience as a DPD I. Under general supervision, employees at this level perform work of average difficulty in all phases of criminal, quasi-criminal, and limited civil practice.

Deputy Public Defender III is the full journey level assigned to employees with the equivalent of at least two years' experience as a DPD. Employees at this level are assigned increasing difficult and complex cases and should require limited instruction or assistance.

Deputy Public Defender IV is the advanced journey level assigned to employees with the equivalent of at least three years' experience as a DPD. Employees at this level are generally assigned more difficult and sensitive cases, are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the CCPD, and require only occasional instruction or assistance as necessary.

Examples of Work (Illustrative Only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interviews applicants for public defense and determines eligibility; advises and counsels defendants on legal rights and procedures; appears with and for defendants at court hearings. Perform related duties as required.
• Decides on and makes appropriate legal motions and pleas, and takes other legal action on behalf of clients; conducts the trial defense for clients; orders investigations and subpoenas.
• Negotiates with prosecuting authorities regarding the disposition or modification of charges in specific cases.
• When warranted, argues the merits of probation for defendants; prepares appeals, writs, and other legal documents on behalf of defendants; dictates correspondence and prepares reports.
• Prepares and presents evidence and arguments for the defense of difficult felony cases involving multiple defendants and multiple charges, and having serious consequences of error, or a high degree of public interest.
• Trains and consults with other attorneys on points of law, evidence, and legal procedures; may assign, review, and evaluate the work of other deputies in the litigation of civil, misdemeanor, and felony cases.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts outreach and advise the general public on criminal practice and issues of community concern, including the rights of victims, complainants, and witnesses;
• Directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of specialized projects.
• Exercises direct supervision over attorney, investigators, and support staff in accordance with Office policies and procedures;
• Participates in interview and evaluation and training of employees;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Criminal and civil law;
• Court systems, procedures and protocols in the State of Idaho;
• Local, state, and federal rules of criminal and civil procedure;
• Rules of Evidence;
• Principles and techniques of legal research;
• Current technology and trends in legal practice;
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette.

Ability to:

• Analyze and apply legal principles and practices to case-specific facts;
• Interpret laws and regulations;
• Evaluate complex criminal cases;
• Perform legal research;
• Work under pressure within strict timeframes and a heavy caseload;
• Work independently and as a team member;
• Screen, prepare, organize, and defend criminal and quasi-criminal cases;
• Interview witnesses and complainants;
• Prepare motions, orders, pleadings, and other legal documents;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly, logically, and persuasively, orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, employees, the public, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, defense bar, and judiciary, representing diverse cultures and backgrounds;
• Exercise appropriate professional judgment in answering questions, releasing information, charging and resolving cases;
• Operate specialized case management and tracking system and general computer system;
• Supervise, lead, and delegate tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school;
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in all State and Federal courts in Idaho.

Special Qualifications

• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation.
• Idaho Driver's License.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform essential duties and accurately with or without reasonable accommodation and without endangering self or other employees. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and drive; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear;
• Sufficient clarify of speech and writing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review and prepare a variety of written and text materials, file them in a prescribed order, and organize documents and materials;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate personal computer and other office equipment;

Sufficient personal mobility, agility, strength, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work at a keyboard for an extended period of time; to reach, stoop, bend, and stretch in filing materials, lift up to 25 pounds, and work in an office and courtroom environment.

EOE Statement

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.